| Who is on trial when Giles Corey interrupts the court? How have the charges against this person changed since Act II? | His wife, Martha, and instead of bewitching pigs she is accused of bewitching the girls. |
| Explain the charge Giles makes against Putnam? | Putnam is only in it for the land; the government would take all the land of those condemned and Thomas would buy them. |
| How has Giles “broke charity with the woman”? | He says his wife reads strange book and that is what got her condemned. |
| Explain how Francis offends Deputy Governor Danforth. | He says that the girls have deceived the court; Danforth has 400 people in jail, 72 to be hung; Danforth is offended because he sees himself as an intelligent man |
| Why do you think Danforth is concerned whether Proctor has told anyone else about the girls’ lies? | Danforth is too concerned about his reputation |
| Explain Danforth’s statement: “We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment.” | Danforth won’t accept any lies, he will grill everyone |
| What words demonstrate Parris’ reaction to having John in the court? | “this man is mischief””he’s here to overthrow the court” |
| What two things does Cheever reveal to the court as evidence against Proctor’s good character? What could this evidence prove in court? | Proctor cursed the court and ripped up Elizabeth’s warrant; he plows on Sundays; this shows his contempt with the court |
| When Proctor hears that his wife claims to be pregnant, what reason does he give for believing her? | She never lies |
| Discuss the evidence Proctor gives Danforth proving Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Martha’s innocence. | Proctor gives Danforth an affidavit with 91 signatures on it declaring their innocence |
| How does this episode help to establish Miller’s connection of the Salem witch trials with McCarthy’s hearings? | Speaking up in anyone’s defense instantly makes you a suspect. |
| What is the charge that Giles Corey makes against Putnam? | That Putnam made his daughter cry out against neighbors who have large amounts of land; so Putnam can buy it cheap |
| What is Giles Corey’s proof for his charge, and why will he not supply the proof to the court? | Another person heard Putnam say that he wants George Jacob’s land; Doesn’t want to endanger the person |
| What does Hale ask Parris about those who attack the court? What is Parris’ ironic response? | Whether those who defend themselves are considered to be attacking the court. Innocent= happy with court and 91=are not happy with it; The irony is that the innocent people are the ones who denied the court |
| What evidence does Giles give the court? | A deposition against Thomas Putnam by a witness who heard Putnam thank his daughter for convicting Jacob’s |
| Why does Giles not reveal his witness? | The witness will be jailed. |
| Why do you think Hale wants Proctor to have a lawyer? | He won’t win without one. |
| Explain Mary Warren’s predicament. What consequences does she face from Abigail and the other girls, Danforth, and Proctor if she goes against each of them? | Abigail with convict her if she testifies against them; Danforth will hang her if she lies; Proctor threatened to kill her if she doesn’t testify against the girls. |
| According to Mary, what circumstances allowed her to pretend in court, but no in the vestry? | The other girls were doing it in the court so she did too; in the vestry though she had no inspriation |
| What threat does Abigail give Danforth when he accuses her of lying? | She will accuse him next |
| How do Abigail and the other girls turn the accusation against Mary? | The girls all pretend to get the chills and say they are being attacked supernaturally. |
| Why is Danforth temporarily persuaded by Proctor’s accusation of Abigail? | He confessed the affair with her and that would give Abby a motive for accusing Elizabeth |
| Cite Abigail’s answer when Danforth questions her about being a harlot. What is strange about her denial? | There is no denial; she says the question is beneath her and refuses to answer it |
| Why does Danforth put so much faith in Elizabeth’s testimony? | John said she never lies |
| What sacrifice does Elizabeth make for her husband? How is her result of this ironic? | She actually lies to save her husband but actually ruins everything because John confessed |
| When Hale verbally attacks Abigail, how does she defend herself? | Distracts everyone by saying that Mary Warren’s spirit is in the form of a bird and attacking her. |
| How does Mary, in turn, defend herself from the girls? | She accuses John of working for the Devil and trying to enlist her. |
| On what charges are Proctor and Corey arrested? | Proctor: witchcraftCorey: Withholding evidence |
| In what way has Hale completed his transformation as a dynamic character by the end of Act III? | He leaves the court and directly opposes it after John and Giles are arrested. |
| Upon finishing this act, explain how Proctor’s earlier advice to Mary Warren is iconic to both of their situations. “Do that which is good, and no harm shall come to thee.” | Mary told the truth but her life was threatened; lied and accused John but praised for it; John told truth and went to jail for it |
The Crucible: Act III
March 4, 2020